S&D welcomes the agreement reached by the Tsipras and Zaev

BRUSSELS – The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D Group) welcomes the agreement reached today by the Prime Ministers Tsipras and Zaev on the long lasting name issue. We expect that this will clear the way for the opening of accession talks with the Republic of Northern Macedonia at the 28-29 June EU summit and enable the relations between both neighbours to thrive. German MEP and President of the S&D Group Udo Bullmann said that day’s success is a proof that progressives political forces are able to solve long-standing disagreements and make difficult compromises that nationalist conservative forces had not been able to do in more than 25 years.

“I hereby congratulate Prime Ministers Zaev and Tsipras for this historic agreement, as well as the people of Northern Macedonia for reaching the doors to the European Union and NATO memberships.”

Bullmann also stated taht he would also like to urge all political forces in both countries to seize the opportunity and prove that the future of their country and good neighbourly relations are more important than short-term gains in polls.

“I also invite the European People’s Party to use its leverage towards its sister parties in both countries. The S&D Group also calls on the member states to now prove that those who make difficult decisions and compromises are rewarded and invite Skopje to start the accession negotiations with the European Union at the 28-29 June EU summit” said Bullmann.

European Western Balkans is a web portal that focuses on the WB countries and reports on development of the EU’s enlargement policy. The portal is launched in 2014 by the Centre for Contemporary Politics.

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European Western Balkans is a web portal that focuses on the Western Balkans countries and reports on the development of the EU’s enlargement policy. The portal was launched in 2014 by the Centre for Contemporary Politics.